Tonga Room

Tonga Room

The Tonga Room is a world-renowned tiki bar located in the Fairmont San Francisco hotel. It is known for its unique Polynesian-themed decor and tropical cocktails. The Tonga Room has been a staple of San Francisco nightlife since its opening in 1945.

History

The Tonga Room was originally designed as a swimming pool in 1929. In 1945, it was transformed into a tiki bar by Mel Melvin, a leading set director for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The bar's design was inspired by the South Pacific, featuring a lagoon, a floating bandstand, and periodic artificial rainstorms.

Atmosphere

The Tonga Room offers a unique atmosphere that transports guests to a tropical paradise. The centerpiece of the room is the lagoon, which was originally the Fairmont's indoor swimming pool. A band plays on a floating barge in the lagoon, and periodic rainstorms, complete with thunder and lightning effects, add to the tropical ambiance.

Menu

The Tonga Room is famous for its tropical cocktails, including the Mai Tai, Zombie, and Singapore Sling. The food menu features a variety of Polynesian-inspired dishes, such as coconut shrimp, Hawaiian BBQ ribs, and macadamia nut chicken.

Reception

The Tonga Room has been praised for its unique atmosphere and quality cocktails. It has been featured in numerous publications and has been visited by many celebrities over the years. Despite threats of closure and redevelopment, the Tonga Room continues to be a beloved San Francisco institution.

See Also

• Tiki culture
• Fairmont San Francisco
• Polynesian culture

References

• Fairmont San Francisco website
• San Francisco Chronicle
• San Francisco Examiner

External Links

• Official website of the Tonga Room
• Tonga Room on Yelp
• Tonga Room on TripAdvisor